A Qualitative Investigation of Factors Influencing the Dietary Intakes of Professional Australian Football Players

Jenner, S; Belski, R; Devlin, B; Coutts, A; Kempton, T; Forsyth, A

A Qualitative Investigation of Factors Influencing the Dietary Intakes of Professional Australian Football Players

Jenner, S Belski, R Devlin, B Coutts, A

Kempton, T

Forsyth, A

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Publisher:: MDPI AG
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18, (8)
Issue Date:: 2021-04-15

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Jenner, S
dc.contributor.author	Belski, R
dc.contributor.author	Devlin, B
dc.contributor.author	Coutts, A https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1782-7691
dc.contributor.author	Kempton, T https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3581-0700
dc.contributor.author	Forsyth, A
dc.date.accessioned	2021-09-06T01:31:49Z
dc.date.available	2021-04-14
dc.date.available	2021-09-06T01:31:49Z
dc.date.issued	2021-04-15
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18, (8)
dc.identifier.issn	1660-4601
dc.identifier.issn	1661-7827
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150342
dc.description.abstract	(1) Background: Many professional Australian Football (AF) players do not meet recommended sports nutrition guidelines despite having access to nutrition advice. There are a range of factors that can influence players' ability to meet their nutrition goals and awareness of the barriers players face is essential to ensure that dietary advice translates into practice. Therefore, this qualitative research study aimed to explore the factors influencing AF players' dietary intakes and food choice. (2) Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve professional male AF players. (3) Results: Less experienced players restricted their carbohydrate intake to meet body composition goals, particularly during preseason and surrounding body composition assessment. During the competition season players had a greater focus on performance and placed more emphasis on carbohydrate intake in the lead up to matches. Players felt nutrition goals were easier to achieve when dietary choices were supported by their families and peers. One-on-one consultations provided by a sports dietitian were players' preferred mode of nutrition intervention. Individualized nutrition advice is required for less experienced AF players who may be vulnerable to unsustainable dietary habits. Experienced AF players can support junior teammates by promoting positive team culture related to body composition, nutrition and performance.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	MDPI AG
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/ijerph18084205
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	Toxicology
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Energy Intake
dc.subject.mesh	Eating
dc.subject.mesh	Football
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Athletes
dc.subject.mesh	Athletes
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Eating
dc.subject.mesh	Energy Intake
dc.subject.mesh	Football
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.title	A Qualitative Investigation of Factors Influencing the Dietary Intakes of Professional Australian Football Players
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	18
utslib.location.activity	Switzerland
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Provost
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Provost/Jumbunna
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHT - Health Technologies
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Centre for Health Technologies (CHT)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-09-06T01:31:47Z
pubs.issue	8
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	18
utslib.citation.issue	8

Abstract:

(1) Background: Many professional Australian Football (AF) players do not meet recommended sports nutrition guidelines despite having access to nutrition advice. There are a range of factors that can influence players' ability to meet their nutrition goals and awareness of the barriers players face is essential to ensure that dietary advice translates into practice. Therefore, this qualitative research study aimed to explore the factors influencing AF players' dietary intakes and food choice. (2) Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve professional male AF players. (3) Results: Less experienced players restricted their carbohydrate intake to meet body composition goals, particularly during preseason and surrounding body composition assessment. During the competition season players had a greater focus on performance and placed more emphasis on carbohydrate intake in the lead up to matches. Players felt nutrition goals were easier to achieve when dietary choices were supported by their families and peers. One-on-one consultations provided by a sports dietitian were players' preferred mode of nutrition intervention. Individualized nutrition advice is required for less experienced AF players who may be vulnerable to unsustainable dietary habits. Experienced AF players can support junior teammates by promoting positive team culture related to body composition, nutrition and performance.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150342